C7 Petroleum Engine Caterpillar

Fuel

Fuel Recommendations

In North America, diesel fuel that is identified as No. 1-D or No. 2-D in "ASTM D975" generally meet the specifications. These fuels are distilled from crude oil. Diesel fuels from other sources could exhibit detrimental properties that are not defined or controlled by this specification.

Note: Caterpillar recommends the filtration of distillate diesel fuel and/or biodiesel and biodiesel blends through a filter with a rating of five microns(c) absolute or less. This filter should be located on the device that dispenses the fuel to the fuel tank for the engine.

Aftermarket Fuel Additives

There are many different types of fuel additives that are available to use. Caterpillar does not generally recommend the use of fuel additives. Contact your fuel supplier for those circumstances when fuel additives are required. Your fuel supplier can make recommendations for additives to use and for the proper level of treatment.

Lubricating Grease

Caterpillar provides various greases that vary in performance from a moderate performance to an extremely high performance. These greases service the entire line of Caterpillar products in the wide variety of climates throughout the world. From this variety of Caterpillar grease products, you can find a Caterpillar grease that will meet or exceed the performance requirements of most engines.

The performance requirements of your engine must be determined before you select any Caterpillar grease. Consult the recommendations for greases that are made by the OEM for the equipment. Then, consult with your Caterpillar dealer for a list of greases that have the performance specifications and the available sizes of containers.

Note: Always choose grease that meets or exceeds the recommendations that are specified by the equipment manufacturer for the application.

If it is necessary to choose a single grease to use for all of the equipment at one site, always choose a grease that meets or exceeds the requirements of the most demanding application. Remember that the products which barely meet the minimum performance requirements can be expected to barely produce the minimum lives of your parts. False economy is being used if a grease is purchased with the lowest cost as the only consideration. Instead, use the grease that yields the lowest total operating cost. This cost should be based on an analysis that includes the costs of parts, labor, downtime, and the cost of the amount of grease that is required.

Note: Purge all of the old grease from a joint before you change from one type of grease to another type of grease. Some greases are not chemically compatible with other greases. Consult your supplier in order to determine if the greases are compatible.

If you are not certain that the old grease is compatible with the new grease, purge the old grease from the system before applying the new grease.

Note: All Caterpillar greases are compatible with each other.

Coolant

The following two coolants are used in Caterpillar Diesel Engines:

Preferred - Cat ELC (Extended Life Coolant) or a commercial extended life coolant that meets the Caterpillar Engine Coolant -1 (EC-1) specification.

Acceptable - Cat DEAC (Diesel Engine Antifreeze/Coolant) or a commercial heavy-duty coolant that meets "ASTM D4985", or "ASTM D6210" specifications

Note: Cat DEAC does not require a treatment with a Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA) at the initial fill. However, a commercial heavy-duty coolant that only meets the "ASTM D4985" specification will require a treatment with an SCA at the initial fill. A commercial heavy-duty coolant that meets the "ASTM D6210" specification will not require a treatment with an SCA at the initial fill. Read the label or the instructions that are provided by the manufacturer of the commercial heavy-duty coolant.

Note: These coolants will require a treatment with a supplemental coolant additive on a maintenance basis.

Note: Add the Cat ELC Extender at the halfway point of the coolant change interval.

Note: These coolant change intervals are only possible with annual S·O·S Services Level 2 coolant sampling and analysis.

S·O·S Services Coolant Analysis

Testing the engine coolant is important to ensure that the engine is protected from internal cavitation and from corrosion. The analysis also tests the ability of the coolant to protect the engine from boiling and from freezing. The S·O·S Coolant Analysis can be performed at your Caterpillar dealer. Caterpillar S·O·S Coolant Analysis is the best way to monitor the condition of your coolant and your cooling system. S·O·S Coolant Analysis is a program that is based on periodic samples.

Refill Capacity (Coolant System)

To maintain the cooling system, the total cooling system capacity must be known. The capacity of the total cooling system will vary. The capacity will depend on the size of the radiator (capacity). Table 3should be completed by the customer for the maintenance of the cooling system.

Note: Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6251, "Caterpillar Commercial Diesel Engine Fluids Recommendations" for additional information that relates to coolant for your engine.